Dangers of Extended Radiation Treatment

Question:

My sister is getting radiation every day- well, supposed to be- but at least once a week or more she takes a day off. Is this harmful?

Answer:

Alexander Lin, MD, Radiation Oncologist at Penn Medicine, responds:

Yes. All efforts should be made to avoid treatment delays or interruptions. For each day that radiation is extended due to days off, the chance for cure goes down on the order of a few percentage points.